The University of Colorado’s Addison Gillam takes down Cal’s Brendan Bigelow (5) in the first half of a game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2013. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)

BOULDER — With a No. 23-ranked team standing in the way of a possible bowl game, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre says his offense will have to mix it up against Southern California on Saturday night.

“If you just decide to throw every time, their D-line is too good, they can cover well enough they can get to the quarterback,” MacIntyre said at his weekly media luncheon Tuesday. “Then if you decide if you’re going to run every time, they’re good enough to press up. Keep them off balance.

“There’s different ways to do that but you can’t get one-dimensional on them because they’re too good. You have to keep them off balance, different formations, different things that we do. That allows our windows to be a little more open for our quarterback. They’re so athletic they’re like pros. The windows shut quick.”

MacIntyre, whose Buffaloes are 4-6 (1-6 Pac-12), said he has watched USC (8-3, 5-2) all year and not just since Lane Kiffin got fired. Under interim coach Ed Orgeron, the Trojans are 5-1.

Arizona — Oregon coach Chip Kelly visited Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez when RichRod was Clemson’s offensive coordinator in 1999. They talked about the spread offense and 13 years later, they both will utilize it against other in Eugene Saturday night: http://azstarnet.com/sports/football/college/wildcats/arizona-football-difference-between-ua-uo-offenses-a-blur/article_c863386f-31eb-5abc-8a10-5aed4a34ea0f.html. They’re almost identical in formations, no huddle and emphasis on the quarterback. But they’re different in Arizona throwing more, terminology and personnel as Oregon has much more proven skill position players than Arizona in Rodriguez’s first year.

Arizona State — Inexperienced wide receiver corps must step up as running backs have more receiving yards: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/20120919arizona-state-wide-receivers-pushed-step-up-game.html.

USC — Freshman walk-on Alex Wood ready and willing to kick field goals in place of injured Andre Heidari: http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-usc-football-20120920,0,5547620.story.

Washington — Freshman safety Shaq Thompson, one of best prep safeties in nation, making big impact already after making almost no impact — literally — as minor league player with Boston Red Sox: http://seattletimes.com/html/huskyfootball/2019204647_huskyfootball20.html.

Utah — Utes bulked up for Pac-12 and now sport two of biggest lines in country: 309-pound average on offense and 387 on defense: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/54928582-89/pounds-utes-pac-whittingham.html.csp.

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Utah — The Utes seemingly won the BYU game three times, 24-21, but had to wait for Riley Stephenson’s 36-yard field goal attempt to bounce off the upright to celebrate — for real. Fans stormed the field until referees ruled one second remained after BYU’s seemingly last pass fell incomplete then they came on the field again after a potentially game-tying field goal was blocked. This time a 15-yard penalty was called for the fans entering the field when the blocked field goal remained in play. The Utes and Cougars don’t play in 2014 or 2015: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/54906693-89/utah-field-byu-rivalry.html.csp.

Arizona State — Todd Graham is concerned about disastrous special teams play after 24-20 loss at Missouri: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/20120916asu-football-coach-todd-graham-disappointed-special-teams-performance-against-missouri.html?nclick_check=1.

USC — Freshman Max Tuerk will compete for left tackle job in place of sophomore Aundrey Walker after awful line performance in Stanford loss: http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-usc-football-20120917,0,5875306.story.

Washington State — Quarterback Jeff Tuel appears healing from knee injury after he took snaps with No. 1 offense last week while working with scout team. Cougars host Colorado Saturday: http://www.spokesman.com/cougs/blog/2012/sep/16/after-day-cougars-get-back-routine/.

Ta’amu set the tone in the Holiday Bowl when he recovered a fumble on Nebraska’s first series then later forced a holding call for a safety. However, he has been slowed by a broken bone in his right hand.

He’s a potential first-round draft pick and a great test for Nebraska’s struggling run game. The Cornhuskers are 24th nationally at 224 yards per game but many are from quarterback Taylor Martinez’s scrambles outside. Nebraska starts a true freshman at tackle and two sophomore guards.

LaMichael James is just one of the many talents that reside in Oregon's backfield.

A look around the Pac-12:

• Oregon. The national runner-ups should be even better in the backfield this year. Not only is quarterback Darron Thomas back but so is Heisman finalist LaMichael James and his backup, Kenjon Barner, whose 6.1-yards-per play average topped James’ 5.9.

But now the tailback position adds freshmen Tra Carson, who broke James’ single season rushing record in high school last year, and De’Anthony Thomas, who switched his commitment from USC to Oregon.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.